Express Entry draws

Draw types explained

• CEC — Program-specific rounds open only to candidates eligible for the Canadian Experience Class — people with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada.
• PNP — Rounds open only to candidates who hold a provincial or territorial nomination, which adds 600 CRS points — which is why cut-offs are usually above 600.
• French — Category-based rounds for candidates with strong French-language skills (NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities).
• Healthcare — Category-based rounds for candidates with qualifying work experience in eligible healthcare and social services occupations.
• Trades — Category-based rounds for candidates with qualifying experience in eligible trade occupations (separate from the Federal Skilled Trades Program rounds).
• STEM — Category-based rounds for science, technology, engineering and math occupations.
• Transport — Category-based rounds for eligible transport occupations.
• Education — Category-based rounds for eligible education occupations such as teachers and early childhood educators.
• Agriculture — Category-based rounds for eligible agriculture and agri-food occupations.
• Physicians — Category-based rounds introduced in 2026 for physicians with Canadian work experience.
• Senior managers — Category-based rounds introduced in 2026 for senior managers with Canadian work experience.
• Military — Category-based rounds introduced in 2026 for skilled military recruits.
• FST — Program-specific rounds for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
• FSW — Program-specific rounds for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
• General — Rounds open to candidates from all Express Entry programs. IRCC labelled these "No Program Specified" until 2022 and "General" afterwards.